Make a Cornice Box for Your Window
by ElectricSnowman in Living > Decorating
13091 Views, 41 Favorites, 0 Comments
Make a Cornice Box for Your Window
Have you ever thought your windows needed a little pizzazz? I didn't, but my wife did; so guess what? It was up to me to make it happen! Luckily it was a fun and easy weekend project that we could do together.
Get the Required Stuff
I went to the Home Depot and had them cut a sheet of 1/8" plywood into 8" strips. I also got any materials that I didn't have around the house, such as drywall anchors, "L" brackets and extra staples for the staple gun
I then gathered up all the tools and materials I thought I would need.
-Wood
-Batting
-Fabric
-Saw
-Measuring Tape or Yardstick
-Pencil
-Glue
-Clamps
-Staple Gun & Staples
-Small Shelf Brackets (I got the smallest I could find which were about 3-4 inches per "arm"
-Short screws for attaching brackets to the cornice
-Drywall anchors
-Screws appropriate for use with drywall anchors
-Hammer
-Drill
-Screwdriver
I then gathered up all the tools and materials I thought I would need.
-Wood
-Batting
-Fabric
-Saw
-Measuring Tape or Yardstick
-Pencil
-Glue
-Clamps
-Staple Gun & Staples
-Small Shelf Brackets (I got the smallest I could find which were about 3-4 inches per "arm"
-Short screws for attaching brackets to the cornice
-Drywall anchors
-Screws appropriate for use with drywall anchors
-Hammer
-Drill
-Screwdriver
Measure and Cut
I had the Home Depot cut my sheet of 1/8" plywood into 8" wide strips. Then I measured the length of the curtain rod the cornice has to cover and added 2 inches for extra clearance. I figured the cornice would stick out 5" so I had to cut two 5" "flaps" per cornice.
I made lines where I had to cut, and made my cuts.
I clamped down a scrap piece of wood to use as a straight edge to help get straight cuts.
I made lines where I had to cut, and made my cuts.
I clamped down a scrap piece of wood to use as a straight edge to help get straight cuts.
Glue and Clamp
After all my pieces are cut, it is time to start gluing. I glued the 2x2 pieces onto the edges of the long boards. Once the glue was dry I glued the short piece to form a corner.
This step took a LONG time because I only had 2 clamps. I waited at least 45 minutes before I removed the clamps so I could glue the next part. Just take your time and make sure everything is dry before you remove the clamps.
This step took a LONG time because I only had 2 clamps. I waited at least 45 minutes before I removed the clamps so I could glue the next part. Just take your time and make sure everything is dry before you remove the clamps.
Add Batting
Sorry, I didn't take pictures of this step.
This is pretty straight forward, just lay out batting over the front of the cornice, wrap the edges over the back and staple down. Make sure the front is smooth, but its all going to be covered in fabric, so perfection isn't necessary.
This is pretty straight forward, just lay out batting over the front of the cornice, wrap the edges over the back and staple down. Make sure the front is smooth, but its all going to be covered in fabric, so perfection isn't necessary.
Put on the Fabric
I didn't get any action shots of this step either.
We put the fabric on and stapled it down in the back.
You want to make sure that the fabric looks tight on the front with no creases or wrinkles.
We put the fabric on and stapled it down in the back.
You want to make sure that the fabric looks tight on the front with no creases or wrinkles.
Add the Brackets
Add the brackets to the cornice. I used the shortest screws I had laying around to make sure they didn't poke through the front of the cornice. A cordless drill came in handy, but it could have been done with a screwdriver.
I just put the brackets on the side wherever they would fit, and screwed them right through the fabric and everything.
I just put the brackets on the side wherever they would fit, and screwed them right through the fabric and everything.
Attach to the Wall
This was by far the hardest step, but it just takes patience. I held the cornice up where it should go while my wife told me if it was level and how to make minor adjustments. Once it was perfect I made pencil marks on the wall through the screw holes in the bracket.
Once I had marks on the wall I drilled holes in the wall, tapped in a drywall anchor, then attached the cornice.
I found that using a very short screwdriver to attach it to the wall.
Once I had marks on the wall I drilled holes in the wall, tapped in a drywall anchor, then attached the cornice.
I found that using a very short screwdriver to attach it to the wall.